10 Star Players Manchester City Could Target This Summer

10 Star Players Manchester City Could Target This Summer

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Manchester City may be in the midst of a title race with their fierce local rivals Manchester United, but the back-room staff never stop looking for ways to improve their team.

One of the many great things the UEFA Champions League gives us is a closer look at foreign talent. There's every chance some of the players who've dazzled this season on a Tuesday and Wednesday night will be playing for an English club next season.

Here are 10 star players Manchester City could target in the summer. All 10 would represent a marquee signing and all 10 would cost a lot—but this is City we're talking about.

Mario Gotze

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Borussia Dortmund's tricky young winger Mario Gotze is hitting the headlines every week with a series of outstanding performances.

He is consistently brilliant, and his versatility means he can contribute effectively from either wing or just behind the striker.

Dribbling and creating chances is his forte but he's got a cracker of a long shot if needs to use it.

Signing Mario Gotze would help Manchester City as it has to be said, at times, they are over reliant on David Silva to pick the lock on stubborn defences.

Eden Hazard

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Potentially the hottest commodity for the summer of 2012, Eden Hazard is a standout performer for a decent Lille side.

Having won the the 2010-2011 Ligue 1 title, Lille might have thought they were in good shape. They've proceeded to lose Gervinho, Yohan Cabaye and Moussa Sow since then and look set to lose another prized possession sooner rather than later.

The young Belgian winger will fetch at least £30 million in the summer.

Eden Hazard has contributed nine goals and seven assists this season and is guaranteed to prove a quality acquisition for one big spending club soon.

Thiago Silva

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An unlikely transfer as Thiago Silva looks set to either; move to Barcelona or become the captain of AC Milan.

It has to be said, he would fit in perfectly at Barcelona as a ball-playing central defender but should he become available for a price, Roberto Mancini should look to try and persuade him his future lies in Manchester.

Silva is only a few years away from being an undisputed top five centre-back in the world and if he leaves this summer, he won't move clubs again for a long time.

Jan Vertonghen

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Jan Vertonghen has frequently been linked with Premier League clubs in the past, so this name will be no revelation to you.

The Belgian beast is a solid central defender who tends to maraud forward and attack when possible. Think David Luizonly far more rational with significantly less hair.

Manchester City have checked on him before, but both Manchester United and Arsenal will be on the look out for central defensive reinforcements this summer too.

The combination of Vertonghen and Kompany would be a solid one to say the least, so get your bids in quick as this Belgian is hitting his prime.

Ezequiel Lavezzi

Whether he's playing as a central striker, trequartista or left winger, Lavezzi creates and scores goals.

He's got a magical touch on the ball which means he rarely loses possession and opens up pockets of space for his team mates.

Lavezzi bagged a brace in Napoli's UEFA Champions League tie with Chelsea and probably deserved a hat-trick.

Surely he won't be staying in Naples for too much longer? This guy could pick which club he wants to play for—there's barely anyone who would pass up his services.

Edinson Cavani

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The other half of what Sky Sports seem to be intent on calling a "two-man team."

Napoli striker Edinson Cavani has had a season or two to remember. Placing third with Uruguay in the World Cup 2010, victorious in the Copa America and consistently shining in Serie A.

He's mustered 19 goals in 28 appearances at the time of writing, and that tally will just continue to increase.

His goal ratio is great and he's a well-rounded, fully capable player. He's a bit on the light side, fuelling initial speculation he could take time to settle in to a Premier League club.

That theory was disproved as he tormented Chelsea's back line. Manchester City's defence don't have fond memories of him either and they'd prefer he was on their side, not against them.

Yann M'vila

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Yann M'vila has stated he is content at Stade Rennais FC, but when has that ever stopped anyone from securing a big money move?

The summer window saw countless links to Manchester United and Chelsea but nothing materialised. January was quiet for most clubs but M'vila is all set for a big summer.

Look for M'vila to impress hugely at the European Championships in Poland Ukraine this summer and be the subject of a huge bid after the tournament.

France enter the tournament as huge underdogs but I believe they have a good chance of making a big splash. Yann M'vila is one of the reasons why.

He's certainly obtainable considering he currently plies his trade at an average Ligue 1 team, but where will he end up?

The English clubs will show some interest but Paris Saint German could present a very attractive option closer to home.

Mats Hummels

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Mats Hummels is the glue that holds an efficient Borussia Dortmund defensive line together.

He's big, he's brave and he's dominating. He's one of a few quality young German defenders to come through the ranks and is sure to play a big part in Germany's international footballing future.

Hummels is well worth every penny Dortmund will charge, and trust me that will be plenty of pennies.

Sven Bender

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Borussia Dortmund won the Bundesliga last year and sit atop the division again this year. Jurgen Klopp has built a solid team and while Mario Goetze takes the highlights, Sven Bender has been brilliant in central midfield.

He's not got the typical powerful defensive build but he can spot a tackle and control the play. His interceptions and reading of the game are akin to Alex Songs'.

He never misses a ball.

Adil Rami

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Adil Rami has been making impressive steps in his career.

He is currently flying high with an in-form Valencia side in La Liga having already won the French double with Lille.

He represents yet another talented Lille player who has used the French club as a springboard for success. Gervinho and Yohan Cabaye did it. Eden Hazard isn't far from doing it.

He's picked up several caps for the France national team and has established himself in Laurent Blanc's new look French side.

A Final Thought

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Just something to mention whilst I was constructing this list.

If you had asked me four years ago about potential summer transfer targets for Manchester City, not one of those players would get close to the calibre we're talking about here.

The progress the club has made, albeit through an oil-rich cash injection, is absolutely astounding. Fellow Manchester City featured columnist Daniel Morehead recently tweeted; "I'm dreading the day I wake up and it was all a dream."